The Sability of Your Times

Isaiah 33:5-6

In the days of Isaiah (ca. 700 B.C.), the kingdom of Judah was facing perilous times.... Assyria was advancing from the north, conquering kingdom after kingdom. Even the northern kingdom of Israel was taken into captivity. As Assyria drew new to Jerusalem, the people were undecided as to where to turn.... Some advocated they give themselves up to the Assyrians. Others looked to the south, believing an alliance with Egypt would save them. Isaiah was sent by God to warn the people to do neither.... The key to their salvation was to trust in the Lord, not men. The Lord would provide the stability they needed, when all seemed lost. In Isa 33:5-6 (“The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness, and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion's treasure.”) we find one such exhortation to put their trust in the Lord.... The NKJV speaks of wisdom and knowledge as “the stability of your times”; of course it is the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord spoken of here. Note other translations:

1) “He shall be the stability of your times” (NASB)

2) “He shall be the sure foundation of your times” (NIV)

Though removed from the days of Isaiah by thousands of years the counsel given by him still rings true! In troubled times, the Lord provides “the stability of your times”!

To illustrate how this is true even today, let’s begin by noticing the unstable condition of our times and the effect such instability can have on people... In the unstable conditions of today we face many disturbing things in life …. Many are common in every age - Job 14:1 ‘"Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble.” We still deal with sickness, death and natural disasters. Some may be peculiar to our day and age. Threats of Terrorism, nuclear holocaust, environmental pollution, inflation, recession, unemployment, AIDS, cancer, heart disease, road rage, drive-by shootings and the list could go on and on.

The affect of such things can create, for some, anxiety and fear. Others react with depression (our age has been called the “age of anxiety” and the “age of the neurosis”). Even Christians can be affected. They may murmur or complain or they may simply exist in a state of “joylessness”. Yet some are not disturbed by such things even though they experience the same things which devastate others. They face the same financial crises, diseases, uncertainties, etc. Somehow they still find cause for great joy and stability in their lives! Why the different reaction? Is there some source of strength that some have found that others have not? I believe there is; it is the LORD who provides stability for troubled times! From our text (Isa 33:6) we learn how the Lord provides stability...

The stability provided by the Lord comes through wisdom and knowledge. “Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times” (NKJV). Such wisdom and knowledge can help us face life by guiding and protecting one from the pitfalls of life - Pro 2:6-22 “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways. So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words, who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; for her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the departed; none who go to her come back, nor do they regain the paths of life. So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it, but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.”; by providing comfort and confidence in times of turmoil - Pro 3:21-26 “My son, do not lose sight of these-- keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” -- God is willing to provide such wisdom to those willing to look to Him! - Ja 1:5-8 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

The stability provided by the Lord comes through salvation, “the strength of salvation” (NKJV). The salvation of the Lord can help us face death. If we know the Lord will save us in eternity, we can better face the adverse circumstances of this life. Consider the example of Paul:

1) He had a strong hope - 2 Co 5:1 “For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”, 5-8 “He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

2) His attitude as a result of that hope - 2 Co 4:16-18 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”; Ro 8:31-39 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Yes, the wisdom, knowledge, and salvation found only in the Lord provides the stability we need for our times! Wisdom and knowledge providing stability in facing life, salvation providing stability to face death. Together they provide great “wealth” (NASB), a “rich store” (NIV).

But what is the key to this treasure of wisdom, knowledge and salvation from the Lord which is “the stability of your times”? We will look into the answer to this question in next weeks continuation.

Remember God In The Days Of Your Youth

Note: There times when a lesson is longer than two pages. This is because there is no place to break it into two lessons. Such is the case with this lesson - JMN.

Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:1

In Ecclesiastes we find the perspective of one who searched for the meaning of life.... The "Preacher" (Solomon) examined wisdom, riches, and pleasure. He shared the fruits of his search: what he saw as vanity, and what was good. To those who are young, he offered the following exhortations:

Rejoice in your youth - Ecc 11:9 “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.”

Remove sorrow and evil from your youth - Ecc 11:10 “Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.”

Remember God in your youth - Ecc 12:1 “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth,”

Reflect upon what is coming - Ecc 12:1 “before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, "I have no pleasure in them";”

I doubt that many young people would take issue with the first exhortation.... They gladly rejoice in their youth. They are happy to let their hearts cheer them, to walk in the ways of their hearts and in the sight of their eyes. But the remaining exhortations...?. To remove sorrow and evil, remember God, reflect upon what is to come?. Doesn't that take the joy out of youth? Not really, and there are several good reasons why we need to “Remember God In The Days Of Your Youth”... Youth has no guarantee of the future. Death is no respecter of persons. Death frequently strikes those who believe they are invincible from accidents, disease and/or war. In the course of my youth, I saw it happen time and again. Terry King (17) died of liver cancer. Tim Heffer (15) dropped dead of a heart attack. Karen Shower’s college roommate did not wake up one morning; her bodily functions simply stopped! Two college classmates (20) were killed in car wrecks. Not to be morbid, nor to scare, but to face reality. No one is promised the future. Life is truly just a vapor - Ja 4:14-17 “yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” -- As a recent bumper sticker put it: “Many who plan to repent at the 11th hour, die at 10:30”

THE LORD IS COMING... He is coming in judgment - 2 Pe 3:7 “But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.”, 9-11 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,”; 2 Th 1:7-9 “and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,” There will be youths at that time who will not have the benefit of a long life; who will not have the time to change. -- Therefore, we ought to prepare for the future (which is a sign of maturity).

Even if one is blessed to live a long life, with plenty of time to change, there is another reason to “Remember God In The Days Of Your Youth”... Misspent youth can curse your future. You reap what you sow. An important principle of life to remember - Ga 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” What you do while young can permanently affect your future. Not just your future in eternity, but your future in this life!

There is danger in the sowing of “wild oats”. Sowing the seeds of rebellion. Young people are often inclined to rebel against all forms of authority (parents, teachers, police, etc.). Yet God has ordained that we submit to authority - Ro 13:1-2 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”; 1 Pe 2:13-14 “Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.” Rebellion against authority has caused many young people to spend years in prison.

Sowing the seeds of lying. Many young people don’t think about the fact that once you are caught in a lie, your credibility is shattered. Your word means nothing, you can no longer be trusted. This has adverse affects on your relationships and your employment

Sowing the seeds of stealing. Shoplifting and other such crimes are rampant among many young people. If caught, others will be suspicious and you will not be given positions of fiscal responsibility.

Sowing the seeds of fornication. Sex among young people is very popular. Yet many do not consider the "high price": sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis, AIDS, unwanted pregnancy (often compounded by abortion), or forced marriages, which often lead to divorce.

Sowing the seeds of using drugs. Drugs have great potential for ruining our lives. What’s so bad about drugs? Some are illegal, and their use violates Ro 13:1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.” Many are addictive, and their use violates 1 Co 6:12 ‘"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything.” Others are destructive to the body, and their use violates 1 Co 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

It has been said that “Most men spend the first half of their lives making the second half miserable.” (La Bruyere) That is why you need to “Remember God In The Days Of Your Youth.” When you do, then the following can be true; well spent youth can bless your future. Compare the foolish and the wise child.

The foolish child. Doesn’t remember God in his youth. Won't listen to the advice of others. Has to learn for himself. Invariably makes a mess out of his life (in health, marriage, or career). Spends a good portion of life undoing foolish actions of youth. Suffers from the consequences of his actions.

The wise child. Remembers God in his youth. Follows God's advice, and that of others. Learns from the mistakes of others. Begins life with a solid foundation and good head start. Able to accomplish more good in life. Will enjoy pleasurable memories, not bemoan his past

-- What a difference in the quality of life there can be when one makes the right

choices while young!

The wise child will show their wisdom. By learning to respect authority now (beginning with parents) - Ep 6:1-3 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land."’ By learning to control your body (as did Paul) - 1 Co 9:27 “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” By obeying the gospel - Ga 3:26-27 “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” By growing spiritually, bearing the fruit of the Spirit - Ga 5:22-24 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Thus becoming an example of the believers - 1 Ti 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

-- This is what is involved in remembering God while young

No one can be “forced” to remember God in their youth.... We can only point out the dangers when one does not. We can remind you of the benefits when one does -- I hope this lesson will encourage the young person to make the right choice. But one thing is certain: God will remember...! God will bring you into judgment for all that you do - Ecc 11:9 “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.” Which is why one should “Fear God and keep His commandments” - Ecc 12:13-14 “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” You only live once...will you make the right choice to “Remember God In The Days Of Your Youth”?

Finding Joy in the Vanity of Life - Cont.

Ecclesiastes 2:22-24

Many people have come to the same conclusion and fallen into despair and despondency. Yet the Preacher would have us learn and know how to find true joy in life. The joy of life as the Preacher experienced. His heart rejoiced in labor - Ecc 2:10 “And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil.”

The reward of his labor was the joy in doing it - Ecc 2:10.

The Preacher’s observations:

Nothing is better than to enjoy simple things and what you do - Ecc 2:24 “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,”

The ability to enjoy what you have and what you do comes from God - Ecc 2:24-25 “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?”

God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to the man good in His sight - Ecc 2:26 “For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.”

The wicked may acquire many things, but it will eventually be given to the good - Ecc 2:26 “but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God.”

Man should rejoice and do good - Ecc 3:12 “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;”

Every man should enjoy the good in their labor, which is a gift from God - Ecc 3:13 “also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil--this is God's gift to man.”

The joy in one’s work is his heritage, not what may happen after he is gone - Ecc 3:22 “So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?”

Again, this is one’s heritage, and it is a gift from God - Ecc 5:18-20 “Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil--this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.”

So in the day of prosperity rejoice, and in the day of adversity contemplate - Ecc 7:14 “In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.”

Thus he commends enjoyment of the fruit of one's labor - Ecc 8:15 “And I commend joy, for man has no good thing under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.”

The Preacher’s conclusion is:

Eat and drink with a merry heart - Ecc 9:7 “Go, eat your bread in joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.”

Express your joy in how you live - Ecc 9:8 “Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.”

Live joyfully with your wife whom you love - Ecc 9:9 “Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.”

Enjoy your youth, yet remember you will be accountable - Ecc 11:9 “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.”

Therefore remove sorrow and put away evil, for youth is short-lived - Ecc 11:10 “Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.”

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth - Ecc 12:1 “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, "I have no pleasure in them";”

Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is your reason for living - Ecc 12:13 “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

Life “under the sun” is vanity... Without God, there is no meaning in life. Without God, you will not be able to truly enjoy your time on earth. Life “under the sun” can be filled with joyful experiences and joyful memories.... With God to guide us in keeping our priorities in life straight. With God to bless us with the wisdom and ability to enjoy what good there is in life. To find joy in the vanity of life, remember your Creator, fear God, and keep His commandments. Today, that especially means to pay heed to His Son and our Savior... - He 1:1-4 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

Finding Joy in the Vanity of Life

Ecclesiastes 2:22-24

“What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.”

An intriguing book of the Bible is Ecclesiastes.... Attributed by many to Solomon - Ecc 1:1 “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.”, 12 “I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.” Describing his search for meaning in life - Ecc 1:13 “And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven (or under the sun). It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.” His search pertains to life “under the sun”.... A phrase used 29 times in 27 verses suggesting a look at life from mostly a worldly point of view - Ecc 1:3 “What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?” His message may seem to be rather negative.... A major theme is the vanity of life (vanity used 35 times in 29 verses) – see Ecc 1:2,14. Yet he mentions such words as joy (3), enjoy (3), enjoyment (2), rejoice (4), joyfully (1). In fact, this book provides counsel on how to get the most out of life...to find joy in a life that is vanity! (cf. Ecc 2:22-24)

To find such joy, one must first face the reality of the vanity of life. The Preacher’s experience:

The vanity of pleasure - Ecc 2:1 “I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity.”

The vanity of industry (labor) - Ecc 2:11 “Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”, 22-23 “What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.”; 4:4 “Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.”

The vanity of human wisdom - Ecc 2:15 “Then I said in my heart, "What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?" And I said in my heart that this also is vanity.”

The vanity of all life - Ecc 2:17 “So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.”

The vanity of leaving an inheritance - Ecc 2:18-21 “I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun, because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.”

The Preachers observations:

The vanity of earthly existence - Ecc 3:19-21 “For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?”

The vanity of acquiring riches over family - Ecc 4:7-8 “Again, I saw vanity under the sun: one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is vanity and an unhappy business.”

The vanity of political popularity - Ecc 4:16 “There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.”

The vanity of many dreams and many words - Ecc 5:7 “For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.”

The vanity of loving abundance - Ecc 5:10 “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.”

The vanity of wealth without the gift of God to enjoy it - Ecc 6:2 “a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil.”

The vanity of wandering desire - Ecc 6:9 “Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.”

The vanity of foolish laughter - Ecc 7:6 “For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity.”

The vanity of injustice in this life - Ecc 8:14 “There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.”

The vanity of the days of darkness - Ecc 11:8 “So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.”

The vanity of childhood and youth - Ecc 11:10 “Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.”

The Preacher’s conclusion:

As stated in the Prologue - Ecc 1:2 “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”

Prior to describing his search for meaning - Ecc 1:14 “I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.”

Many people have come to the same conclusion and fallen into despair and despondency. Yet the Preacher would have us learn and know how to find true joy in life. The joy of life as the Preacher experienced. In our next part of this lesson we will examine how the Preacher found true joy in life.

The Price and Prevention of Adultey

Proverbs 5:1-23

Occasionally I hear very disturbing news: someone I know has committed adultery… Someone who I thought was devoted to their spouse and their Lord. In some cases, it is a preacher, elder, deacon, or Bible class teacher. Sometimes leaving a spouse and children to live with their adulterous partner. My reaction is usually, “What are they thinking...?” How can they do such a thing to their spouse and children? How can they turn their back on the Lord who died for them? Do they not know the terrible consequences of adultery? Though not a pleasant subject, it is necessary to be frequently reminded of the terrible price of the sin of adultery. How one can prevent the sin of adultery? One of the best places to turn to is the book of Proverbs. In Pro 5:1-6 (please read), we find a warning against the bitter end of adultery.

Continuing with Pro 5:7-14 we are told of the price of adultery. It can cost your wealth. Solomon pleads with his children to stay away from the immoral woman - Pro 5:7-8 “And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house,”. His first reason: “Lest you give your honor to others...” - Pro 5:9a. He reiterates: “Lest aliens be filled with your wealth, And your labors go to the house of a foreigner.” - Pro 5:10. -- Alimony and child support can eat away at your finances.

It can cost your physical health. Solomon’s second reason: “...and your years to the cruel one.” - Pro 5:9b. He adds: “And you mourn at last, when your flesh and body are consumed.” - Pro 5:11. Bacterial STDs (for example, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea) are often brought on by immorality; viral STDs (for example, genital herpes, Hepatitis B, AIDS) are incurable. -- Sexually transmitted diseases can eat away at your body.

It can cost your mental health. You will be filled with self-recrimination: “How I hated instruction, and my heart despised correction! I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me!” - Pro 5:12-13. You will not forget what your parents, teachers, preachers, and true friends told you. As you recall the violent affects of divorce on your spouse (and on your children who will likely suffer the worst), you will berate your stupidity! - Mal 2:16 "For the man who hates and divorces, says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless." -- Your conscience can eat away at your peace of mind.

It can cost your reputation. As suggested by these words: “I was on the verge of total ruin, in the midst of the assembly and congregation.” - Pro 5:14. People do not take lightly the sin of adultery - Pro 6:27-35. Can a person be trusted who would lie to their spouse? -- Your unfaithfulness can eat away at your reputation.

Adultery destroys one’s wealth, body, soul, and reputation. Forgiveness is possible (1 Co 6:9-11), but many affects of adultery continue throughout one’s life. It is better for one to take to heart the prevention of adultery. Love your spouse. Rejoice with the wife of your youth; be enraptured by her love - Pro 5:15-19 “Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.”; Ecc 9:9 “Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.” Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church - Ep 5:25,28 “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” – “In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” Wives, learn to love your husbands - Ti 2:3-4 “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,” Why be enraptured by an adulteress (adulterer) and seductress (seducer)? - Pro 5:20 “Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress?” One’s true character is revealed by their immorality. If they commit adultery with you, they are likely to commit adultery against you! -- Enraptured love is commanded, which means it can be learned (and relearned).

Love Your Lord. The Lord is omniscient, and sins will have their effect - Pro 5:21-23 “For a man's ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths. The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.” He sees all - Pro 15:3 “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” God will judge fornicators and adulterers - He 13:4 “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” When one sins against the Lord, their sins will be exposed - Num 32:23 “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.” How much better to love the Lord, and be loyal to Him. He looks for those loyal to Him - cf. 2 Chr 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars."’; Mt 22:37 “And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Joseph’s devotion to God prevented him from being tempted – see Gen 39:7-10. The Lord blessed Joseph because of his faithfulness – see Gen 39:21; 41:50-52. -- Those who love the Lord foremost, love their spouses forever!

The price of adultery is terrible.... Which too many learn by sad experience. Which all can avoid by heeding God’s Word. The prevention of adultery is possible when our love is in the right place.... Loving the Lord with all our heart. Loving our spouses with God’s blessing. Do not destroy the lives of so many with misdirected affection...!